English Standard Version
Proverbs 5:21
21For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths.
Proverbs 5:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.
- New International Version (NIV)For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He ponders all his paths.
- New Living Translation (NLT)For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.
Context of Proverbs 5:21
19a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. 20Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths. 22The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. 23He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.
Read all of Proverbs 5Proverbs 5:21 word by word
כִּ֤י נֹ֨כַח׀ עֵינֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה דַּרְכֵי־אִ֑ישׁ וְֽכָל־מַעְגְּלֹתָ֥יו מְפַלֵּֽס׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 5:21
- Proverbs 15:3The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars."
- Job 31:4Does not he see my ways and number all my steps?
- Job 34:21"For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.
- Psalms 11:4The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
- Psalms 17:3You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
- Psalms 139:1O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
- Jeremiah 16:17For my eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from me, nor is their iniquity concealed from my eyes.
- Jeremiah 17:10"I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."
- Jeremiah 23:24Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.
- Jeremiah 32:19great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.
- Hosea 7:2But they do not consider that I remember all their evil. Now their deeds surround them; they are before my face.
- Hebrews 4:13And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
- Revelation 2:18"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
Commentaries on Proverbs 5:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21For the ways of a man - Whether they are public or private, God sees all the steps thou takest in life.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21One more warning. The sin is not against man, nor dependent on man‘s detection only. The secret sin is open before the eyes of Yahweh. In the balance of His righteous judgment are weighed all human acts. Pondereth - Note the recurrence of the word used of the harlot herself (see Proverbs 1:6 note): she ponders not, God does.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-23Verses 15-23 Lawful marriage is a means God has appointed to keep from these destructive vices. But we are not properly united, except as we attend to God's word, seeking his direction and blessing, and acting with affection. Ever remember, that though secret sins may escape the eyes of our fellow-creatures, yet a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, who not only sees, but ponders all his goings. Those who are so foolish as to choose the way of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21-23Even if a man hides an illicit relationship from his family and society, the Lord knows. Adultery is a sin against God (Genesis 39:8–9).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. The reason, God's eye is on you,Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 5:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries